Information about Polyamory, Swinging, BDSM, Open Relationships and Alternative Lifestyles

Clarifying cheating vs. polyamory and other open relationships

There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding the definitions of particular relationship matters and structures. So in an effort to make the world a better place I hereby attempt to clarify things a little.

Cheating: Cheating is an act of lying, deception, fraud, trickery, imposture, or imposition. Cheating characteristically is employed to create an unfair advantage, usually in one’s own interest, and often at the expense of others. Cheating implies the breaking of rules.

Open relationship: An open relationship is a committed relationship in which the partners are free to have emotional and/or physical relationships with other partners, often within mutually agreed limits. If a couple in an open relationship are married, it can be called an open marriage.

Swinging: Swinging or partner swapping is a non-monogamousbehaviour, in which partners in a committed relationship agree, as a couple, for both partners to engage in sexual activities with other people.

Polyamory: Polyamory is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.

See the difference in the bolded print? “Deception” vs. “agreed upon with full knowledge and consent of all parties involved”.